JP7728201B2 - Toll collection system, toll collection method and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a toll collection system, a toll collection method, and a program.

The Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC (registered trademark)) used on toll roads enables automatic toll collection (payment processing) for vehicles in motion by wirelessly communicating between wireless communication devices installed in each lane at toll gates and onboard units installed in vehicles.

On toll roads, different toll amounts are set depending on the vehicle type classification (standard-sized vehicles, large vehicles, etc.), so even in the electronic toll collection system mentioned above, information regarding vehicle type classification is exchanged during the charging process.

Some electronic toll collection systems can obtain vehicle type classification information for each arriving vehicle through a vehicle type discrimination device installed in each lane at the entrance toll gate, based on the detection results of characteristics detected as the vehicle travels, such as the number of axles of the vehicle.
However, in order to determine the number of axles, etc. of a vehicle, a lane length of at least 16 meters is required, and there are toll booths where it is not possible to secure such a lane length, and so radio communication with the on-board unit must be carried out before determining the number of axles, etc. For this reason, the current electronic toll collection system is sometimes operated as follows.

First, at the entrance toll booth, the vehicle type classification information registered in the on-board unit (hereinafter also referred to as "on-board unit vehicle type classification information") is written via wireless communication to the IC card (ETC card) set in the on-board unit as "temporary vehicle type classification information."
When the vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate, the "temporary vehicle type classification information" written in the IC card is read out at the exit toll gate, and the charge amount according to the "temporary vehicle type classification information" is calculated.

In such an operation, if the actual vehicle classification of a vehicle traveling on a toll road differs from the vehicle classification registered in the on-board device, for example, due to the presence or absence of a towed vehicle, the billing process will be carried out at an incorrect amount.
Therefore, at the entrance toll gate, after writing (wireless communication) to the IC card is completed, the correct vehicle type classification information obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device (i.e., vehicle type classification information identified using the detection result of the number of axles) is transmitted to the higher-level device. Then, a match/mismatch between the vehicle type classification information (on-board device vehicle type classification information) applied when the charging process was performed at the exit toll gate and the correct vehicle type classification information identified using the detection result of the number of axles is determined after the fact, and if there is a mismatch, the charged amount is corrected later.

Note that, as a technology related to the above, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, each time a vehicle enters a toll gate, information regarding the vehicle's charges is obtained from a database center and the charges are processed.

JP 2010-267130 A

When operating an electronic toll collection system such as the one described above, the charge is initially processed at the exit toll gate based on the amount corresponding to the "temporary vehicle classification information," and then the amount is subsequently revised. As a result, the electronic toll collection system described above is unable to immediately charge the correct amount at the exit toll gate or immediately notify the user of the correct amount. Therefore, the electronic toll collection system described above is required to be able to immediately charge the correct amount at the exit toll gate and immediately notify the user of the correct amount at the exit toll gate, without requiring communication time for information inquiries outside the exit toll gate and notification of the inquiry results.

In the system described in Patent Document 1, a discount information table containing information about toll discounts is sent from the road project computer to each roadside device. This road project computer is owned by the road project company, which is a corporation that manages the toll road. This type of configuration poses the problem that, for example, when a vehicle travels through multiple areas managed by different road project companies, it may be necessary to share information between multiple computers.

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a toll collection system, toll collection method, and program that enable appropriate sharing of billing-related information.

To solve the above problem, the toll collection system disclosed herein includes a central charging processing device for each area that creates an all-vehicle information table containing vehicle information that associates each vehicle's identification information identifying each vehicle traveling within a specified area with each vehicle's vehicle type classification information and each entrance toll gate identification information identifying each entrance toll gate that the vehicle has passed through. Each central charging processing device distributes the all-vehicle information table for each area to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll gate. When a vehicle's movement across the boundary between the area and another area is detected, the central charging processing device in the destination area adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table it created. The exit charging processing device identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that arrived at the exit toll gate, identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all-vehicle information table, and executes charging processing at an amount corresponding to the vehicle type classification information.

The toll collection method disclosed herein is a toll collection system equipped with a central charging processing device for each area that creates an all-vehicle information table containing vehicle information that associates each vehicle's identification information identifying each vehicle traveling within the area, each vehicle type classification information for each vehicle, and each entrance toll gate identification information identifying each entrance toll gate that the vehicle has passed through. Each central charging processing device distributes the all-vehicle information table for each area to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll gate. When a vehicle is detected moving across the boundary between the area and another area, the central charging processing device in the destination area adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table it created. The exit charging processing device identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that arrived at the exit toll gate, identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all-vehicle information table, and executes charging processing at an amount corresponding to the vehicle type classification information.

The program disclosed herein is a toll collection system that includes a central charging processing device for each area that creates an all-vehicle information table containing vehicle information that associates each vehicle identification information identifying each vehicle traveling within the area, each vehicle type classification information for each vehicle, and each entrance toll gate identification information identifying each entrance toll gate that the vehicle has passed through. The program causes a computer to execute the following steps: each central charging processing device distributes the all-vehicle information table for each area to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll gate; when the movement of a vehicle across the boundary between the area and another area is detected, the central charging processing device in the destination area adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table it created; and the exit charging processing device identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate, identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all-vehicle information table, and executes charging processing at an amount corresponding to the vehicle type classification information.

The toll collection system, toll collection method, and program disclosed herein enable appropriate sharing of billing-related information.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a toll collection system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a toll collection system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a central charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an entrance FF charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a barrier equipment processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of passage barrier information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an all-vehicle information table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of handover information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the central charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the entrance FF charging processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the barrier equipment processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the toll collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment.

First Embodiment
The toll collection system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Overall configuration of the toll collection system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a toll collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a toll collection system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a toll collection system 9 according to this embodiment includes central charging processing devices 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d that manage four adjacent areas 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d, respectively. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a portion of areas 7a and 7b shown in FIG. 2. Note that the central charging processing devices 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are collectively referred to as central charging processing device 1. Furthermore, the areas 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are collectively referred to as area 7.

The toll collection system 9 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is an electronic toll collection system (ETC) that is applied to the collection of tolls for a toll road U managed by a road operator. Note that the toll road U may be managed by different road operators for each area 7, for example, area 7a and area 7b, or may be managed by the same road operator.

The configuration of the toll road U will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toll road U has an entrance toll gate G2, an exit toll gate G3, a main line toll gate G4, and a barrier facility G6 on the main line LM.
Vehicle A arrives at entrance toll gate G2 from an ordinary road to enter toll road U. Vehicle A travels along incoming lane L2 to arrive at entrance toll gate G2, and after passing through entrance toll gate G2, travels along toll road U. Although not shown, each lane at entrance toll gate G2 is equipped with a wireless communication device for wireless communication with on-board unit C of arriving vehicle A, a vehicle type discrimination device capable of identifying the vehicle type classification of vehicle A based on the detection result of the number of axles of vehicle A, and the like.
Furthermore, vehicle A arrives at exit toll gate G3 intending to exit from toll road U onto an ordinary road. Vehicle A travels along toll road U and arrives at exit toll gate G3, and after passing through exit toll gate G3, travels along exit lane L3 and returns to the ordinary road. Each lane at exit toll gate G3 is equipped with a wireless communication device that performs charging processing via wireless communication for arriving vehicles, a roadside indicator that immediately notifies the collected amount, and the like.
The main toll gate G4 is a toll gate located on the main line LM, and is also called a central toll gate. Vehicles traveling on the main line LM of the toll road U pass through the main toll gate G4. Each lane of the main toll gate G4 is equipped with wireless communication devices, vehicle type identification devices, etc., similar to those at the entrance toll gate G2.
The barrier facility G6 is, for example, a gantry (gate-shaped pillar) installed at the boundary (or near the boundary) between adjacent areas 7a and 7b on the main line LM. Vehicles traveling on the main line LM of the toll road U pass through the barrier facility G6. Each lane of the barrier facility G6 is equipped with wireless communication devices, cameras for license plate recognition, and the like, similar to those at the entrance toll gate G2.

Toll road U has an entrance FF lane L2F. The entrance FF lane L2F is an FF (free flow) lane, an entry lane without a toll gate. Note that a wireless communication device is installed on the roadside of the entrance FF lane L2F, but no vehicle type identification device is installed.

Next, the toll collection system 9 will be described.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the toll collection system 9 is equipped with a central charging processing device 1, an entrance charging processing device 2, an exit charging processing device 3, a main line charging processing device 4, and an entrance FF charging processing device 5 for each area 7. However, each area 7 does not necessarily have to be equipped with all types of processing devices. The toll collection system 9 also has barrier equipment processing devices 6 at the boundaries of the areas 7. When a vehicle A moves across areas 7, the vehicle A is detected by one of the barrier equipment processing devices 6. In the example shown in Figure 2, a barrier equipment processing device 6a is installed at the boundary between areas 7a and 7b. A barrier equipment processing device 6b is installed at the boundary between areas 7b and 7c. A barrier equipment processing device 6c is installed at the boundary between areas 7c and 7d. A barrier equipment processing device 6d is installed at the boundary between areas 7d and 7a. The barrier equipment processing devices 6a to 6d are collectively referred to as barrier equipment processing device 6. Each area 7 typically includes a plurality of entrance charging devices 2, a plurality of exit charging devices 3, a plurality of main line charging devices 4, a plurality of entrance FF charging devices 5, and a plurality of barrier equipment processing devices 6.

The central billing processing device 1 is communicatively connected via wide area communication network NW1 to processing devices installed at each toll booth, FF lanes, and boundary areas between areas 7 on the toll road U, and aggregates the information received sequentially from each processing device to create an all-vehicle information table (described below). The central billing processing device 1 then distributes the all-vehicle information table to each processing device. Furthermore, each central billing processing device 1 is communicatively connected to each other via wide area communication network NW2.

The entrance charging processing device 2 is a device installed at the entrance toll gate G2. If the entrance toll gate G2 has multiple lanes, an entrance charging processing device 2 is installed for each lane.
The entrance charging processing device 2 acquires vehicle information (described later) of vehicles passing through the lanes of the entrance toll gate G2 and transmits this information to the central charging processing device 1. Note that a vehicle type discrimination device is installed in each lane of the entrance toll gate G2. Therefore, the vehicle information transmitted by the entrance charging processing device 2 includes vehicle type classification information determined using the number of axles of the vehicle and entrance toll gate identification information that identifies the entrance toll gate G2.

The exit charging processing device 3 is a device installed at the exit toll booth G3. If there are multiple lanes at the exit toll booth G3, an exit charging processing device 3 is installed for each lane.
The exit charging processing device 3 stores in a local (internal) recording medium the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central charging processing device 1. The exit charging processing device 3 identifies the vehicle type classification information of vehicles passing through each lane by referring to the all-vehicle information table stored in the local recording medium, and performs immediate charging and immediate notification based on the correct vehicle type classification.
In addition, the exit charging processing device 3 acquires vehicle information of vehicles passing through the lane at the exit toll gate G3 and transmits this information to the central charging processing device 1.

The main lane billing processing device 4 is a device installed at the main lane toll gate G4. If the main lane toll gate G4 has multiple lanes, a main lane billing processing device 4 is installed for each lane.
The main line billing processing device 4 stores in a local recording medium the all-vehicle information table distributed from the central billing processing device 1. The main line billing processing device 4 determines whether or not the vehicle information acquired from a vehicle passing through the lane of the main line toll gate G4 has already been recorded in the all-vehicle information table stored in the local recording medium, and transmits the acquired vehicle information to the central billing processing device 1 according to the determination result.

The entrance FF charging processing device 5 is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F. The entrance FF charging processing device 5 acquires vehicle information for vehicles traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F and transmits this information to the central charging processing device 1. However, no vehicle type discrimination device is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F. Therefore, the vehicle information transmitted by the entrance FF charging processing device 5 does not include vehicle type classification information, which is determined using the number of axles of the vehicle.

The barrier equipment processing device 6 is installed in the barrier equipment G6. The barrier equipment processing device 6 detects the movement of vehicle A across the boundary between one area 7 and another area 7, and determines the vehicle identification information of that vehicle A. Furthermore, when the barrier equipment processing device 6 detects the movement of vehicle A across the boundary of area 7, it transmits passage barrier information including the vehicle identification information of that vehicle A to the central billing processing device 1 of the area from which that vehicle A moved. However, no vehicle type discrimination device is installed in the barrier equipment G6. Therefore, the passage barrier information transmitted by the barrier equipment processing device 6 does not include vehicle type classification information determined using the number of axles of the vehicle.

(Functional configuration of the central billing processing device)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the central accounting processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the central accounting processing device 1 includes a CPU 10 , a memory 11 , a communication interface 12 , and a recording medium 13 .

The CPU 10 is a processor that performs various functions by operating in accordance with pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 10 will be described later.
The memory 11 is a so-called main storage device and has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 10 .
The communication interface 12 is a connection interface for connecting to each accounting processing device via a wide area communication network so that communication is possible.
The recording medium 13 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, which is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). In this embodiment, an all-vehicle table T1 is recorded on the recording medium 13. As will be described later, the recording medium 13 also records difference information T2 (a new entering vehicle table T21 and a new exiting vehicle table T22) (described later) of the all-vehicle table T1.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 10 of the central billing processing device 1.

The CPU 10 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a receiving unit 101, a creating unit 102, a distributing unit 103, and a transmitting unit 104.

The receiving unit 101 receives vehicle information from each charging device. The vehicle information received from the entrance charging device 2 and the main line charging device 4 includes vehicle identification information that identifies the vehicle, as well as vehicle type classification information determined using the detection result of the number of axles of the vehicle.
The number of axles is detected by the tires of a traveling vehicle sequentially stepping on treads (described later) installed on the road surface, that is, it is one aspect of a feature detected as the vehicle travels. In other embodiments, the feature detected as the vehicle travels is not limited to the number of axles, and may be, for example, the vehicle length detected based on an optical sensor or the like.

The receiving unit 101 also receives passing barrier information from the barrier facility processing device 6. The passing barrier information includes vehicle identification information of vehicle A that has passed through the barrier facility G6, the barrier facility number, processing date and time information, etc. The receiving unit 101 also receives handover information from another central billing processing device 1. The handover information includes vehicle information of vehicle A that has passed through the barrier facility G6 and newly entered another area 7 (vehicle A that has exited its own area 7), and information related to passing through the barrier facility G6.

The creation unit 102 aggregates the vehicle information received from each billing processing device to create the all-vehicle information table T1. In particular, the creation unit 102 adds vehicle information sequentially received from the entrance billing processing device 2 (and the entrance FF billing processing device 5) to the all-vehicle information table T1 as vehicle information for vehicles that have newly entered the toll road U, and aggregates this information to create the newly entering vehicle table T21. In addition, the creation unit 102 excludes vehicle information sequentially received from the exit billing processing device 3 from the all-vehicle information table T1 as vehicle information for vehicles that have newly exited the toll road U, and aggregates this information to create the newly exiting vehicle table T22.

When the receiving unit 101 receives passage barrier information, the creating unit 102 creates handover information including vehicle information about the vehicle A and information related to passing through the barrier equipment G6. Based on the passage barrier information successively received from the barrier equipment processing device 6, the creating unit 102 removes vehicle information about vehicles that have exited the area 7 managed by the device from the all vehicle information table T1, and aggregates this information to create the new exiting vehicle table T22. When the receiving unit 101 receives handover information, the creating unit 102 adds vehicle information about the vehicle A and the like to the all vehicle information table T1, and aggregates this information to create the new entering vehicle table T21.

The distribution unit 103 distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the creation unit 102 to each charging processing device (particularly the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G2) and the barrier equipment processing device 6. The distribution unit 103 also periodically distributes the new entering vehicle table T21 and the new exiting vehicle table T22, which are difference information T2 of the all-vehicle information table T1, to each processing device.

When the receiving unit 101 receives passage barrier information, the transmitting unit 104 transmits the handover information generated by the creating unit 102 to the central billing processing device 1 in the destination area.

(Functional configuration of entrance charging processing device)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the entrance charging processing device 2 includes a CPU 20, a memory 21, a communication interface 22, a roadside equipment interface 23, and a recording medium 24.

The CPU 20 is a processor that performs various functions by operating in accordance with pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 20 will be described later.
The memory 21 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 20 .
The communication interface 22 is a connection interface for connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network so that communication is possible.
The roadside device interface 23 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside devices (wireless communication device 2A, vehicle type discrimination device 2B) provided in each lane of the entrance toll gate G2.
The recording medium 24 is a local recording medium provided within the entrance charging processing device 2, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the recording medium 24 records the all-vehicle table T1 distributed from the central charging processing device 1.

Next, we will explain the roadside equipment (wireless communication device 2A, vehicle type identification device 2B) connected to the entrance charging processing device 2.

The wireless communication device 2A uses DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) to communicate wirelessly with the onboard unit C (Figure 1) of vehicle A that has arrived at the entrance toll gate G2, and acquires various information (onboard unit ID, IC card information, vehicle number, etc.) recorded in the onboard unit C. The various information recorded in the onboard unit C is vehicle identification information that can uniquely identify the vehicle.

The vehicle type identification device 2B is a device that can identify the correct vehicle type classification of a moving vehicle. The vehicle type identification device 2B detects the number of axles of a vehicle passing through a lane using a footboard, vehicle detector, etc. As a result, the vehicle type identification device 2B identifies the vehicle type classification information of the moving vehicle using the detection result of the number of axles of the passing vehicle.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 20 of the entrance charging processing device 2.

The CPU 20 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 201, entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202, entrance transmission unit 203, and vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 204.

The recording processing unit 201 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 24. The recording processing unit 201 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 24 based on difference information T2 (Figure 3) distributed periodically from the central billing processing device 1.

The entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 acquires vehicle information about vehicles that have arrived at the entrance toll gate G2 via the wireless communication device 2A and the vehicle type identification device 2B. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle in question, and vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection results of the vehicle's number of axles.

The entrance transmission unit 203 transmits vehicle information, including vehicle identification information and vehicle type classification information, to the central billing processing device 1.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 204 reads vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information pre-registered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to an IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Functional configuration of the exit billing processing device)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the exit charging device 3 includes a CPU 30, a memory 31, a communication interface 32, a roadside equipment interface 33, and a recording medium .

The CPU 30 is a processor that performs various functions by operating in accordance with pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 30 will be described later.
The memory 31 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 30 .
The communication interface 32 is a connection interface for connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network so that communication is possible.
The roadside equipment interface 33 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 3A, roadside display 3B) provided in each lane of the exit toll gate G3.
The recording medium 34 is a local recording medium provided within the exit billing processing device 3, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the recording medium 34 records the all-vehicle table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

Next, we will explain the roadside equipment (wireless communication device 3A, roadside display 3B) connected to the exit billing processing device 3.

The wireless communication device 3A performs wireless communication using DSRC with the on-board device C (FIG. 1) of the vehicle A that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3, and acquires various information (vehicle identification information) recorded in the on-board device C. At the exit toll gate G3, charging processing is performed through wireless communication by the wireless communication device 3A.
The roadside display 3B is a display device that displays (instantly notifies) the amount of charge and the like to a traveling vehicle (user) when the charge process via wireless communication is completed.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 30 of the exit billing processing device 3.

The CPU 30 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 301, an exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302, an exit transmission unit 303, an on-board device information reading unit 304, and a billing processing unit 305.

Like the recording processing unit 201 of the entrance billing processing device 2, the recording processing unit 301 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 34. The recording processing unit 301 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 34 based on the difference information T2 (Figure 3) periodically distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 acquires vehicle information about vehicles that have arrived at the exit toll gate G3 via the wireless communication device 3A. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle.

The exit transmission unit 303 transmits vehicle information, including vehicle identification information, to the central billing processing device 1.

The vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 304 reads the vehicle-mounted device vehicle classification information written to the IC card at the entrance toll booth G2.

The billing processing unit 305 references the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34, identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired by the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302, and performs billing processing at a billing amount corresponding to the vehicle type classification information.

(Functional configuration of main line billing processing device)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the main line billing processing device 4 includes a CPU 40 , a memory 41 , a communication interface 42 , a roadside equipment interface 43 , and a recording medium 44 .

The CPU 40 is a processor that performs various functions by operating in accordance with pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 40 will be described later.
The memory 41 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 40 .
The communication interface 42 is a connection interface for connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network so that communication is possible.
The roadside equipment interface 43 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 4A, vehicle type determination device 4B) provided in each lane of the main toll gate G4.
The recording medium 44 is a local recording medium provided within the main line billing processing device 4, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the recording medium 44 records the all-vehicle table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The roadside devices (wireless communication device 4A and vehicle type identification device 4B) connected to the main line toll processing device 4 are similar to the wireless communication device 2A and vehicle type identification device 2B installed at the entrance toll gate G2, so their explanation will be omitted.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 40 of the main line billing processing device 4.

The CPU 40 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 401, a main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402, a main line transmission unit 403, and an on-board device information writing unit 404.

The recording processing unit 401 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 44. The recording processing unit 401 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 24 based on difference information T2 (Figure 3) distributed periodically from the central billing processing device 1.

The main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 acquires vehicle information about vehicles arriving at the main line toll gate G4 via the wireless communication device 4A and the vehicle type determination device 4B. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle in question, and vehicle type classification information determined using at least the detection results of the vehicle's number of axles.

When a specific condition is met, the main line transmitting unit 403 transmits vehicle information including vehicle identification information and vehicle type classification information to the central billing processing device 1. Specifically, the "specific condition" is the following two conditions (a) and (b).
(a) When vehicle information including vehicle identification information (such as an on-board device ID) acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 does not exist in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44. (b) When vehicle information including vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 exists in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44, but the vehicle information does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection result of the number of axles.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 404 reads vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information pre-registered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to an IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Functional configuration of entrance FF charging processing device)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the entrance FF charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the entrance FF charging processing device 5 includes a CPU 50, a memory 51, a communication interface 52, a roadside equipment interface 53, and a recording medium .

The CPU 50 is a processor that performs various functions by operating in accordance with pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 50 will be described later.
The memory 51 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 50 .
The communication interface 52 is a connection interface for connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network so that communication is possible.
The roadside equipment interface 53 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 5A, roadside camera 5B) provided in the entrance FF lane L2F.
The recording medium 54 is a local recording medium provided within the entrance FF billing processing device 5, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the recording medium 54 records the all-vehicle table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The wireless communication device 5A, which is a roadside device connected to the entrance FF charging processing device 5, is similar to the wireless communication device 2A provided at the entrance toll gate G2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
The roadside camera 5B is a camera installed on the roadside and captures images of vehicles traveling in the entrance FF lane L2F. The roadside camera 5B is linked to the vehicle identification information obtained through the wireless communication device 5A, and is capable of acquiring vehicle images showing the exterior of each vehicle.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 50 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5.

The CPU 50 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 501, entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502, entrance FF transmission unit 503, and vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 504.

The recording processing unit 501 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 54. The recording processing unit 501 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 54 based on difference information T2 (Figure 3) distributed periodically from the central billing processing device 1.

The entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 acquires vehicle information of vehicles traveling on the entrance FF lane L2F via wireless communication device 5A. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle. However, because no vehicle type identification device is installed on the entrance FF lane L2F, the vehicle information acquired here does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection results of the number of axles.

The entrance FF transmission unit 503 transmits vehicle information, including vehicle identification information but not vehicle type classification information, to the central billing processing device 1.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 504 reads vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information pre-registered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Functional configuration of barrier equipment treatment device)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the barrier equipment processing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the barrier facility processing device 6 includes a CPU 60 , a memory 61 , a communication interface 62 , a roadside equipment interface 63 , and a recording medium 64 .

The CPU 60 is a processor that performs various functions by operating in accordance with pre-prepared programs. The functions of the CPU 60 will be described later.
The memory 61 has a storage area necessary for the operation of the CPU 60 .
The communication interface 62 is a connection interface for connecting to the central billing processing device 1 via a wide area communication network so that communication is possible.
The roadside equipment interface 63 is a connection interface for communicating with roadside equipment (wireless communication device 6A, roadside camera 6B) provided in the barrier facility G6.
The recording medium 64 is a local recording medium provided within the barrier equipment processing device 6, and is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD. In this embodiment, the recording medium 64 records the all-vehicle table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1.

The wireless communication device 6A, which is a roadside device connected to the barrier facility processing device 6, is similar to the wireless communication device 2A provided at the entrance toll gate G2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
Roadside camera 5B is a camera installed on the roadside and captures images of vehicles traveling through barrier facility G6. Roadside camera 6B performs image recognition of the license plate of vehicle A and outputs information indicating the recognized vehicle number. Roadside camera 6B also links the image to vehicle identification information obtained through wireless communication device 6A, making it possible to acquire vehicle images showing the exterior of each vehicle.

Next, we will explain the functions of the CPU 60 of the barrier equipment processing device 6.

The CPU 60 operates according to a pre-prepared program to perform the functions of a recording processing unit 601, a barrier equipment vehicle information acquisition unit 602, a barrier equipment transmission unit 603, and an on-board device information writing unit 604.

The recording processing unit 601 records the all-vehicle information table T1 distributed from the central billing processing device 1 on the local recording medium 64. The recording processing unit 601 also updates the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 64 based on difference information T2 (Figure 3) distributed periodically from the central billing processing device 1.

The barrier facility vehicle information acquisition unit 602 acquires vehicle information of vehicles traveling on the barrier facility G6 via the wireless communication device 6A. Alternatively, the barrier facility vehicle information acquisition unit 602 acquires vehicle identification information (license plates) of vehicles traveling on the barrier facility G6 via the roadside camera 6B. The vehicle information acquired here includes vehicle identification information that can identify the vehicle. However, because no vehicle type identification device is installed on the barrier facility G6, the vehicle information acquired here does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection results of the number of axles.

When the barrier facility vehicle information acquisition unit 602 detects the movement of vehicle A across the boundary between area 7 and another area 7, the barrier facility transmission unit 603 transmits passing barrier information, including vehicle identification information for vehicle A, to the central billing processing device 1 of the area from which vehicle A moved.

The vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 604 reads vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information pre-registered in the vehicle-mounted device C (Figure 1) and writes it to the IC card set in the vehicle-mounted device C.

(Examples of vehicle information, passing barrier information, all vehicle information table, and handover information)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle information according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of passage barrier information according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an all-vehicle information table according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of handover information according to the first embodiment.
Below, with reference to Figures 9 to 12, we will explain in detail the contents of the data of vehicle information D that is sequentially acquired by the entrance charging processing device 2 etc. and sent to the central charging processing device 1, the contents of the data of passing barrier information E generated by the barrier equipment processing device 6, and the contents of the data of the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the central charging processing device 1.

As shown in Figure 9, vehicle information D includes "vehicle identification information" ("on-board unit ID" in this embodiment), "toll gate number," "lane number," "processing date and time," "IC card information," "vehicle type classification information," "license plate information," "vehicle image data," etc. Here, the "toll gate number" and "lane number" are examples of entrance toll gate identification information that identifies the entrance toll gate that vehicle A passed through.

Of the vehicle information D acquired by the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2, "vehicle identification information" (on-board device ID), "IC card information," "license plate information," etc. are information obtained through wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2A and the on-board device C. Furthermore, "vehicle classification information" is vehicle classification information obtained through the vehicle type discrimination device 2B (i.e., vehicle classification information identified based on the detection results of the number of axles).

Since a vehicle type discrimination device 4B is also installed at the main line toll gate G4, "vehicle type classification information" based on the detection result of the number of axles can be obtained. Therefore, the vehicle information obtained by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 of the main line charging processing device 4 includes "vehicle type classification information" based on the number of axles, just like the vehicle information obtained by the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2.
On the other hand, since no vehicle type discrimination device is installed in the entrance FF lane L2F, the vehicle information acquired by the entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 of the entrance FF charging processing device 5 does not include "vehicle type classification information."

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the passing barrier information E includes "vehicle identification information" ("on-board device ID" in this embodiment), "barrier equipment number," "lane number," "processing date and time," "IC card information," "license plate information," "vehicle image data," etc.

Figure 11 shows the contents of the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the creation unit 102 of the central billing processing device 1. As shown in Figure 11, the all-vehicle information table T1 is a compilation of vehicle information D received from each billing processing device and passed barrier information E received from the barrier facility processing device 6. The all-vehicle information table T1 aggregates vehicle information about all vehicles traveling on the toll road U at each time in each area 7, as well as information related to the passage of each barrier facility G6 when the vehicle A passes through it. In the example shown in Figure 11, the information related to the passage of the barrier facility G6 includes information indicating the number of the barrier facility G6 that was passed, the lane number, and the date and time of the passage process. Note that if multiple barrier facilities G6 are passed through, information related to the passage of the multiple barrier facilities G6 is registered in the all-vehicle information table T1.

As shown in FIG. 12, the handover information TO1 includes vehicle information D, information related to the passage of a barrier facility G6, and a charging table number. The information related to the passage of a barrier facility G6 includes the number of the barrier facility G6 that was passed, the lane number, and information indicating the date and time of the passage process. The charging table number is information that identifies the toll system when vehicle A passed through the entrance toll gate G2. In this case, the charging table number and charging table are shared in advance among multiple central charging processing devices 1, and the charging table number identifies the toll system that applies to vehicle A. For example, if vehicle A stays on toll road U for an extended period of time, the toll system when exiting toll road U may differ from the toll system when entering toll road U. In such a case, by including this charging table number in the handover information TO1, the toll system to be applied can be handed over to a central charging processing device 1 in another area. The charging table number can be distributed to the exit charging processing device 3, for example, by being included in the all-vehicle information table T1.

(Processing flow of the central charging processing device)
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the central accounting processing device according to the first embodiment.
The processing flow executed by the central billing processing device 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 13. The processing flow shown in Fig. 13 is repeatedly executed by the central billing processing device 1 periodically (for example, once every few seconds, minutes, or tens of minutes, at a cycle shorter than the shortest expected time from the entrance to the exit of a toll road).

First, the receiving unit 101 of the central billing processing device 1 aggregates vehicle information related to vehicles that have newly entered the toll road U (step S11). Specifically, the receiving unit 101 aggregates vehicle information D (Figure 9) received from the entrance billing processing device 2 or the entrance FF billing processing device 5.

Next, the receiving unit 101 aggregates vehicle information related to vehicles that have newly exited the toll road U (step S12). Specifically, the receiving unit 101 aggregates vehicle information D received from the exit billing processing device 3.

Next, if the receiving unit 101 of the central billing processing device 1 receives passage barrier information (step S13; YES), the creation unit 102 of the central billing processing device 1 generates handover information TO1 and sends it to the central billing processing device 1 as the handover destination, and marks the vehicle as subject to exclusion from the all-vehicle information table T1 (step S14).

Next, the receiving unit 101 aggregates the handover information received from other central billing processing devices 1 (step S15).

Next, the creation unit 102 creates and updates an all-vehicle information table T1 (Figure 9) containing vehicle information on all vehicles traveling on the toll road U at each time in the area 7 it manages, based on the information aggregated in steps S11 to S15 (step S16). Specifically, the creation unit 102 adds the vehicle information aggregated in steps S11 and S15 to the all-vehicle information table T1, and updates the all-vehicle information table T1 by excluding from the all-vehicle information table T1 the vehicle information aggregated in step S12 and the vehicle information targeted for exclusion in step S14.

Next, the creation unit 102 creates difference information T2 (Figure 3) that indicates the difference from the all-vehicle information table T1 created at the previous timing (step S17). Specifically, the creation unit 102 creates a new entering vehicle information table T21 using the vehicle information aggregated in steps S11 and S15. The creation unit 102 also creates a new exiting vehicle information table T22 using the vehicle information aggregated in step S12 and the vehicle information excluded in step S14.

Next, the distribution unit 103 of the central billing processing device 1 distributes the difference information T2 (newly entering vehicle information table T21, newly exiting vehicle information table T22) to each processing device (step S18). Each processing device updates the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on its local recording medium based on the distributed difference information T2.

When a specified request is received from a processing device, the distribution unit 103 distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 itself to the request source, rather than the difference information T2 (step S19). For example, when a new exit billing processing device 3 is started at the exit toll gate G2, the all-vehicle information table T1 is not recorded in the exit billing processing device 3 immediately after startup. Therefore, the newly started exit billing processing device 3 sends a specified request to the central billing processing device 1 immediately after startup. The exit billing processing device 3 then receives the all-vehicle information table T1 itself from the central billing processing device 1.

(Processing flow of the entrance charging processing device)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the entrance charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
The processing flow executed by the entrance charging processing device 2 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

First, the entrance charging processing device 2 detects the entry of a vehicle into the entrance toll gate G2 (step S21).

Next, the entrance vehicle information acquisition unit 202 of the entrance charging processing device 2 performs wireless communication with the onboard device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 2A to acquire vehicle identification information (onboard device ID) etc. (step S22).

Next, the vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 204 of the entrance charging processing device 2 writes the vehicle model classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C to the IC card (step S23).

Next, the entrance charging processing device 2 determines whether the vehicle identification information obtained in step S22 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 24 (step S24).

If the vehicle identification information obtained in step S22 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 24 (step S24; NO), vehicle information about vehicles that have not yet entered the toll road U is recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1. Therefore, in this case, the entrance billing processing device 2 determines that an abnormal vehicle has entered the system and sends an error notification to the central billing processing device 1 (step S25).

If the vehicle identification information obtained in step S22 is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 24 (step S24; YES), vehicle type classification information identified based on the detection results of the number of axles is then obtained via the vehicle type identification device 2B (step S26).

Next, the entrance transmission unit 203 of the entrance billing processing device 2 transmits vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (including vehicle type classification information identified by the vehicle type identification device 2B) to the central billing processing device 1 (step S27).

(Processing flow of the exit billing processing device)
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the exit charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
The processing flow executed by the exit charging processing device 3 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

First, the exit charging processing device 3 detects a vehicle entering the exit toll gate G3 (step S31).

Next, the exit vehicle information acquisition unit 302 of the exit billing processing device 3 performs wireless communication with the onboard device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 3A to acquire vehicle identification information (onboard device ID) etc. (step S32).

Next, the vehicle-mounted device information reading unit 304 of the exit billing processing device 3 reads the vehicle model classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information) written to the IC card in step S23 (Figure 14) (step S33).

Next, the exit billing processing device 3 determines whether the vehicle identification information obtained in step S32 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34 (step S34).

If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34 (step S34; NO), then for some reason the vehicle information that should be included is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 of the exit billing processing device 3. Therefore, in this case, the billing processing unit 305 determines the billing amount using the vehicle-mounted device vehicle classification information (provisional vehicle classification information) read in step S33, and performs billing processing (step S35).

On the other hand, if the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 34 (step S34; YES), the billing processing unit 305 refers to the all-vehicle information table T1 and identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S32 (step S36).

Next, the billing processing unit 305 executes billing processing based on the vehicle type classification information recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1, and displays the billing amount on the roadside display 3B (step S37).

(Processing flow of the main line billing processing device)
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the main line billing processing device according to the first embodiment.
The processing flow executed by the main line billing processor 4 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

First, the main line toll processing device 4 detects a vehicle entering the main line toll gate G4 (step S41).

Next, the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 of the main line billing processing device 4 performs wireless communication with the onboard device C of the entering vehicle via the wireless communication device 4A to acquire vehicle identification information (onboard device ID) etc. (step S42).

Next, the on-board unit information writing unit 404 of the main line billing processing device 4 writes the vehicle type classification information (on-board unit vehicle type classification information) registered in the on-board unit C to the IC card (step S43).

Next, the main line transmission unit 403 of the main line billing processing device 4 determines whether the vehicle identification information acquired in step S42 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 44 (step S44).

If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S42 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 44 (step S44; NO), this vehicle can be said to be a vehicle whose vehicle information was acquired through the entrance charging processing device 2 or the entrance FF charging processing device 5 when it passed through the entrance toll gate G2 or the entrance FF lane L2F.
In this case, the main line transmitting unit 403 then determines whether or not the all-vehicle information table T1 includes vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S45).

If the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the recording medium 44 contains vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information acquired in step S42 (step S45: NO), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information was already recorded by the vehicle type discrimination device 2B when the vehicle passed through the entrance toll gate G2. Therefore, in this case, the main line transmission unit 403 ends processing without transmitting any information to the central billing processing device 1.

On the other hand, if the vehicle information referenced in step S44 does not include vehicle type classification information (step S45; YES), it is determined that the correct vehicle type classification information has not yet been recorded because the vehicle has entered the toll road U by passing through the entrance FF lane L2F where the vehicle type discrimination device 2B is not installed.
In this case, the main line transmitting unit 403 acquires vehicle type classification information specified based on the detection result of the number of axles through the vehicle type discrimination device 4B (step S46).

Next, the main line transmitter 403 transmits vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (including vehicle type classification information identified by the vehicle type identification device 4B) to the central billing processing device 1 (step S47).

(Processing flow of the entrance FF charging processing device)
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the entrance FF charging processing device according to the first embodiment.
The processing flow executed by the entrance FF accounting processing device 5 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The entrance FF vehicle information acquisition unit 502 of the entrance FF charging processing device 5 wirelessly communicates with the onboard device C of a vehicle located within its communication range via the wireless communication device 5A installed on the roadside of the entrance FF lane L2F, and acquires vehicle identification information (onboard device ID) and the like (step S51).

Next, the vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 504 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5 writes the vehicle type classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle type classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C to the IC card (step S52).

Next, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 determines whether the vehicle identification information acquired in step S51 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 54 (step S53).

If the vehicle identification information obtained in step S51 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 54 (step S53; NO), vehicle information about vehicles that have not yet entered the toll road U is recorded in the all-vehicle information table T1. Therefore, in this case, the entrance FF billing processing device 5 determines that an abnormal vehicle has entered the system and sends an error notification to the central billing processing device 1 (step S54).

If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S51 is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 54 (step S53; YES), the entrance FF transmitter 503 of the entrance FF billing processing device 5 transmits vehicle information about the arriving vehicle (not including vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) to the central billing processing device 1 (step S55). Note that this vehicle information may also include vehicle image data captured by the roadside camera 5B (or information indicating where that image data is stored).

(Treatment flow of barrier equipment treatment device)
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the barrier equipment processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, the processing flow executed by the barrier equipment processing device 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The barrier equipment vehicle information acquisition unit 602 of the barrier equipment processing device 6 wirelessly communicates with the onboard device C of a vehicle within its communication range via the wireless communication device 6A installed on the roadside of the barrier equipment G6, and acquires vehicle identification information (onboard device ID) and the like (step S61).

Next, the vehicle-mounted device information writing unit 604 of the barrier equipment processing device 6 writes the vehicle model classification information (vehicle-mounted device vehicle model classification information) registered in the vehicle-mounted device C to the IC card (step S62).

Next, the barrier equipment processing device 6 determines whether the vehicle identification information acquired in step S61 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 64 (step S63).

If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S51 is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 54 (step S63; NO), then for some reason the vehicle information that should be included is not included in the all-vehicle information table T1 of the barrier equipment processing device 6. Therefore, in this case, the barrier equipment processing device 6 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the system and sends an error notification to the central billing processing device 1 (step S64).

If the vehicle identification information acquired in step S61 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 64 (step S63; YES), the barrier equipment transmission unit 603 of the barrier equipment processing device 6 transmits passing barrier information regarding the arriving vehicle to the central billing processing device 1 (step S65). Note that this passing barrier information may include vehicle image data captured by the roadside camera 6B (or information indicating where it is saved).

(Example of operation of toll collection system 9)
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the toll collection system according to the first embodiment.
An example of the operation of the toll collection system 9 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.
The operation example shown in Figure 19 shows the flow of processing in the entrance charging processing device 2 (2a), central charging processing device 1 (1a), and barrier equipment processing device 6 (6a) in area 7a shown in Figure 1, and the central charging processing device 1 (1b), exit charging processing device 2 (2b), and barrier equipment processing device 6 (for example, barrier equipment processing device 6b shown in Figure 2) in area 7b. The operation example shown in Figure 19 is an example in which vehicle A enters the toll road U at entrance toll gate G2 (G2a) in area 7a, passes through barrier equipment G6 (G6a), and then exits at exit toll gate G3 (G3a) in area 7b.

First, the entrance charging processing device 2a detects the entry of vehicle A (step S101). Next, the entrance charging processing device 2a generates vehicle information (step S102). Next, the entrance charging processing device 2a transmits the vehicle information to the central charging processing device 1a (step S103). Next, the central charging processing device 1a generates tables (all-vehicle information table T1 and difference information T2 (newly entering vehicle table T21, newly exiting vehicle table T22)) (step S104). In step S104, the all-vehicle information table T1 is generated, adding the vehicle information of vehicle A detected in step S101. Next, the central charging processing device 1a distributes the difference information T2 to the entrance charging processing device 2a, barrier equipment processing device 6a, etc. (steps S105 and S106). Here, the entrance charging processing device 2a updates the table (all-vehicle information table T1) (step S107). Furthermore, the barrier equipment processing device 6a updates the table (all-vehicle information table T1) (step S108).

Next, the barrier equipment processing device 6a detects the entry of vehicle A (step S109). Next, the barrier equipment processing device 6a generates passage barrier information (step S110). Next, the barrier equipment processing device 6a transmits the passage barrier information to the central billing processing device 1a (step S111).

Next, the central billing processing device 1a generates handover information (step S112). Next, the central billing processing device 1a transmits the handover information to the central billing processing device 1b (step S113).

Next, the central billing processing device 1b generates tables (all-vehicle information table T1 and difference information T2 (newly entering vehicle table T21, newly exiting vehicle table T22)) (step S201). In step S201, the all-vehicle information table T1 is generated, adding the vehicle information of vehicle A detected in step S109. The central billing processing device 1b distributes the difference information T2 to the exit billing processing device 3b, barrier equipment processing device 6, etc. (steps S202, S203). Here, the exit billing processing device 3b updates the table (all-vehicle information table T1) (step S204). Furthermore, the barrier equipment processing device 6 updates the table (all-vehicle information table T1) (step S205).

Meanwhile, after the central billing processing device 1a generates the handover information in step S112, it generates tables (all-vehicle information table T1 and difference information T2 (newly entering vehicle table T21, newly exiting vehicle table T22)) (step S114). In step S114, an all-vehicle information table T1 is generated, excluding the vehicle information of vehicle A detected in step S109. Next, the central billing processing device 1a distributes the difference information T2 to the entrance billing processing device 2a, barrier equipment processing device 6a, etc. (steps S115, S116). Here, the entrance billing processing device 2a updates the table (all-vehicle information table T1) (step S117). Also, the barrier equipment processing device 6a updates the table (all-vehicle information table T1) (step S118).

(Action, effect)
As described above, the central charging processing device 1 of the first embodiment aggregates vehicle information including vehicle type classification information for each vehicle from the entrance charging processing device 2 installed at the entrance toll gate G2 and vehicle information inherited from other central charging processing devices 1 by handover information to create an all-vehicle information table T1, and distributes this to the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G2.
In this way, the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3 records, locally (on the recording medium 34), vehicle information (all vehicle information table T1) of all vehicles that have entered the toll road U within the area 7 managed by the central charging processing device 1. The all vehicle information table T1 also records the correct vehicle type classification information (vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) for each vehicle. Therefore, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the all vehicle information table T1 can be immediately referenced, and the correct amount of the charge can be immediately executed according to the vehicle's vehicle type classification information.

As described above, the central billing processing device 1 according to the first embodiment can immediately charge the correct amount at the exit toll gate and immediately notify the user of the correct amount. It can also appropriately share information related to billing.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
The main line billing processing device 4 according to the first embodiment has been described as ending processing without transmitting any information to the central billing processing device 1 if the vehicle identification information acquired by the main line vehicle information acquisition unit 402 is included in the all-vehicle information table T1 recorded on the local recording medium 44 (step S44; NO) and if the vehicle identification information includes vehicle type classification information corresponding to the vehicle identification information (step S45; NO). However, other embodiments are not limited to this.
That is, even for the same vehicle, the vehicle type classification when passing through the entrance toll gate G2 may be different from the vehicle type classification when passing through the main toll gate G4. For example, this may be the case when adding or removing cargo or towed vehicles at a service area, etc. In such a case, the central charging processing device 1 may be configured to record both the vehicle type classification identified when passing through the entrance toll gate G2 and the vehicle type classification identified when passing through the main toll gate G4 in the all-vehicle information table T1.
In this way, the road operator can take into account the fact that the vehicle type classification has been changed while the vehicle is traveling on the toll road U and collect an appropriate amount of charge from the vehicle.

In addition, the toll collection system 9 in another embodiment may have a main line FF charging processing device in addition to the above-mentioned central charging processing device 1, entrance charging processing device 2, exit charging processing device 3, main line charging processing device 4 and entrance FF charging processing device 5.
The main lane FF charging processing device acquires vehicle information for vehicles traveling in the normal lanes of the main lane L1 (lanes where there are no toll gates and where traffic can travel freely) via a wireless communication device installed on the roadside, and sequentially transmits this information to the central charging processing device 1. However, vehicle type discrimination devices cannot be installed on the normal lanes of the main lane L1. Therefore, like the entrance FF charging processing device 5, the main lane FF charging processing device transmits vehicle information that does not include vehicle type classification information based on the detection result of the number of axles. All other processing is the same as that of the main lane charging processing device 4.

In addition, the toll collection system 9 according to another embodiment may further include an exit FF charging processing device provided in correspondence with the "exit FF lane" of the toll road U. In this case, the exit FF charging processing device may have the same functions as the exit charging processing device 3.

Furthermore, the toll collection system 9 according to the above-described embodiment has been described as updating the all-vehicle information table T1 at the exit charging processing device 3 by sequentially distributing difference information T2, as shown in FIG. 13, but other embodiments are not limited to this. That is, the toll collection system 9 according to other embodiments may be configured to distribute the all-vehicle information table T1 as is at regular intervals.

In the above-described embodiment, the various processes performed by the central accounting processing device 1, entrance accounting processing device 2, exit accounting processing device 3, main line accounting processing device 4, entrance FF accounting processing device 5 (and main line FF accounting processing device and exit FF accounting processing device), and barrier equipment processing device 6 are stored in the form of programs on computer-readable recording media, and the above-described various processes are performed by the computer reading and executing these programs. Furthermore, computer-readable recording media refers to magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memory, etc. Furthermore, this computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the distribution may execute the program.

The above program may be one that realizes some of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded on the computer system.

As described above, several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. However, all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments may be embodied in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims, as well as within the scope and spirit of the invention.

<Computer Configuration>
FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment.
The computer 90 includes a processor 91 , a main memory 92 , a storage 93 , and an interface 94 .
The above-mentioned central billing processing device 1, entrance billing processing device 2, exit billing processing device 3, main line billing processing device 4, entrance FF billing processing device 5, and barrier equipment processing device 6 are implemented in a computer 90. The operations of each of the above-mentioned processing units are stored in the form of a program in a storage 93. A processor 91 reads the program from the storage 93, loads it into a main memory 92, and executes the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program. The processor 91 also allocates storage areas in the main memory 92 corresponding to each of the above-mentioned storage units in accordance with the program.

The program may be for realizing some of the functions to be performed by the computer 90. For example, the program may be combined with other programs already stored in storage or implemented in other devices to achieve the functions. In other embodiments, the computer may include a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, some or all of the functions realized by the processor may be realized by the integrated circuit.

Examples of storage 93 include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), semiconductor memory, etc. Storage 93 may be internal media directly connected to the bus of computer 90, or external media connected to computer 90 via interface 94 or a communication line. Furthermore, if this program is distributed to computer 90 via a communication line, the computer 90 that receives the program may expand the program into main memory 92 and execute the above-mentioned processing. In at least one embodiment, storage 93 is a non-transitory, tangible storage medium.

<Additional Notes>
The toll collection system, toll collection method, and program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

(1) In the first aspect, the toll collection system 9 includes a central charging processing device 2 for each area 7, which creates an all-vehicle information table T1 including vehicle information that includes, in association with each vehicle A traveling within a predetermined area 7, vehicle type classification information for each vehicle A, and entrance toll gate information that identifies each entrance toll gate that each vehicle has passed through,
Each of the central charging processing devices 1 distributes the all-vehicle information table T1 for each of the areas 7 to the exit charging processing devices 3 installed at the exit toll booths G3,
When detecting the movement of the vehicle A across the boundary between the area 7 and another area 7, the central charging processing device 1 in the area to which the vehicle A has moved adds the vehicle information of the vehicle A to the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the central charging processing device 1 itself,
The exit billing processing device 3 identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle A that has arrived at the exit toll gate G3, identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all vehicle information table T1, and performs billing processing at a billing amount according to the vehicle type classification information.
In this way, the vehicle information (all vehicle information table T1) of all vehicles that have entered the toll road U within area 7 is recorded locally (recording medium 34) in the exit charging processing device 3 installed at the exit toll gate G3. The correct vehicle type classification information (vehicle type classification information based on the number of axles) of each vehicle is recorded in the all vehicle information table T1.
Therefore, when a vehicle arrives at the exit toll gate G3, the all vehicle information table T1 is immediately referenced, and the correct amount of charge according to the vehicle type classification information can be immediately executed.
Furthermore, according to this aspect and the following aspects, the central billing processing devices 1 in the areas 7 can appropriately share information related to billing.

(2) In the second aspect, when the central billing processing device 1 in the area from which the vehicle A moved detects that the vehicle A has moved across the boundary between the area 7 and another area 7, it further excludes the vehicle information of the vehicle A from the all-vehicle information table T1 created by the central billing processing device 1.

(3) In the third aspect, the toll collection system 9 further includes:
a barrier equipment processing device (6) that detects the movement of the vehicle (A) across the boundary between the area (7) and another area (7) and identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle;
When the barrier equipment processing device 6 detects the movement of the vehicle A across the boundary between the area 7 and another area 7, it transmits passage barrier information E including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle A to the central charging processing device 1 of the area from which the vehicle A moved,
When the central charging processing device 1 in the area from which the vehicle A has moved receives the passage barrier information E, it transmits handover information TO1 including the vehicle information of the vehicle A and information related to the passage of the barrier facility G6 to the central charging processing device 1 in the area to which the vehicle A has moved,
The central charging processing device 1 in the destination area adds the vehicle information of the vehicle A to the all-vehicle information table T1 based on the received takeover information TO1.

(4) In the fourth aspect, the central billing processing device 1 in the source area transmits the handover information TO1 to the central billing processing device 1 in the destination area and excludes the vehicle information of vehicle A from the all-vehicle information table T1.

(5) In the fifth aspect, the handover information TO1 further includes information (billing table number) that identifies the toll system when the vehicle passed through the entrance toll gate. According to this aspect, even if vehicle A stays on the toll road U for a long period of time and the toll system changes between entry and exit, the correct billing process can be performed immediately.

(6) In a sixth aspect, a toll collection method is provided in a toll collection system that includes a central charging processing device for each area, which creates an all-vehicle information table including vehicle information that associates each vehicle identification information that identifies each vehicle traveling within a predetermined area, each vehicle type classification information of each vehicle, and each entrance toll gate identification information that identifies each entrance toll gate that each vehicle has passed through,
Each of the central charging processing devices distributes the all-vehicle information table for each area to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth,
When detecting movement of the vehicle across a boundary between the area and another area, the central charging processing device in the area from which the vehicle moved removes the vehicle information of the vehicle from the all-vehicle information table created by the central charging processing device itself, and the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle moved adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table created by the central charging processing device itself,
The exit charging processing device identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate, identifies the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all vehicle information table, and performs charging processing at a charging amount according to the vehicle type classification information.

(7) In a seventh aspect, in a toll collection system provided with a central charging processing device for each area, the program creates an all-vehicle information table including vehicle information that includes vehicle identification information that identifies each vehicle traveling within a specified area, vehicle type classification information for each vehicle, and entrance toll gate identification information that identifies each entrance toll gate that each vehicle has passed through, in association with each other,
each of the central charging processing devices distributing the all-vehicle information table for each area to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth;
When detecting movement of the vehicle across a boundary between the area and another area, the central charging processing device in the area from which the vehicle moved removes the vehicle information of the vehicle from the all-vehicle information table created by itself, and the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle moved adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table created by itself;
The exit charging processing device causes a computer to execute the steps of: identifying the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate; identifying the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all vehicle information table; and executing charging processing at a charging amount according to the vehicle type classification information.

9 Toll collection system 1 Central charging processing device 2 Entrance charging processing device 3 Exit charging processing device 4 Main line charging processing device 5 Entrance FF charging processing device 6 Barrier equipment processing device 7 Area T1 All vehicle information table T2 Difference information TO1 Handover information

Claims (5)

means for receiving, for each area, vehicle information from an entrance charging processing device installed at an entrance toll gate, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information identifying each vehicle traveling within a predetermined area, vehicle type classification information for each vehicle, and entrance toll gate identification information identifying each entrance toll gate that each vehicle has passed through, in association with each other;
means for creating an all-vehicle information table including the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device ;
a central charging device for each of the areas ;
Each of the central charging processing devices distributes the all-vehicle information table for each area to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth,
When detecting the movement of the vehicle across the boundary between the area and another area, the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle has moved adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table created by the central charging processing device itself,
the exit charging processing device identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate, identifies the entrance toll gate identification information and the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all vehicle information table, and executes charging processing at a charging amount according to the entrance toll gate identification information and the vehicle type classification information ;
moreover,
a barrier facility processing device that is installed in a barrier facility provided at a boundary between the area and another area, detects movement of the vehicle across the boundary, and identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle;
When the barrier equipment processing device detects the movement of the vehicle across the boundary between the area and another area, the barrier equipment processing device transmits passage barrier information including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle to the central charging processing device of the area from which the vehicle moved,
When the central charging processing device in the area from which the vehicle moved receives the passing barrier information, the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle moved transmits handover information including the vehicle information of the vehicle and information related to passing through the barrier facility to the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle moved;
The central charging processing device in the destination area adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table based on the received handover information,
The handover information further includes information specifying a toll system when the vehicle passes through the entrance toll gate.
Toll collection system. When detecting movement of the vehicle across the boundary between the area and another area, the central charging processing device in the area from which the vehicle moved excludes the vehicle information of the vehicle from the all vehicle information table created by the central charging processing device itself.
The toll collection system according to claim 1. the central charging processing device in the area from which the vehicle is moved transmits the handover information to the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle is moved, and excludes the vehicle information of the vehicle from the all-vehicle information table;
The toll collection system according to claim 1. receiving, for each area, vehicle information from an entrance charging processing device installed at an entrance toll gate, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information identifying each vehicle traveling within a predetermined area, vehicle type classification information for each vehicle, and entrance toll gate identification information identifying each entrance toll gate that each vehicle has passed through, in association with each other;
creating an all-vehicle information table including the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device ;
a step of distributing the all-vehicle information table for each area to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth;
is executed by a central charging processing device provided for each area,
When detecting the movement of the vehicle across the boundary between the area and another area, the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle has moved adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table created by the central charging processing device itself,
the exit charging processing device identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate, identifies the entrance toll gate identification information and the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all vehicle information table, and executes charging processing at a charging amount according to the entrance toll gate identification information and the vehicle type classification information ;
moreover,
The barrier equipment treatment device installed in the barrier equipment provided at the boundary between the area and another area,
detecting movement of the vehicle across the boundary and identifying the vehicle identification information of the vehicle;
When detecting the movement of the vehicle across the boundary, transmitting passage barrier information including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle to the central charging processing device of the area from which the vehicle moved,
When the central charging processing device in the area from which the vehicle moved receives the passing barrier information, the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle moved transmits handover information including the vehicle information of the vehicle and information related to passing through the barrier facility to the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle moved;
The central charging processing device in the destination area adds the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table based on the received handover information,
The handover information further includes information specifying a toll system when the vehicle passes through the entrance toll gate.
Toll collection method. receiving, for each area, vehicle information from an entrance charging processing device installed at an entrance toll gate, the vehicle information including vehicle identification information identifying each vehicle traveling within a predetermined area, vehicle type classification information for each vehicle, and entrance toll gate identification information identifying each entrance toll gate that each vehicle has passed through, in association with each other;
creating an all-vehicle information table including the vehicle information received from the entrance charging processing device ;
a step of distributing the all-vehicle information table for each area to an exit charging processing device installed at an exit toll booth;
a computer of a central charging processing device provided for each of the areas;
When detecting the movement of the vehicle across the boundary between the area and another area, the computer of the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle has moved executes a step of adding the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all vehicle information table created by the computer of the central charging processing device;
causing a computer of the exit charging processing device to execute a step of identifying the vehicle identification information of the vehicle that has arrived at the exit toll gate, identifying the entrance toll gate identification information and the vehicle type classification information linked to the identified vehicle identification information by referring to the all vehicle information table, and performing charging processing at a charging amount according to the entrance toll gate identification information and the vehicle type classification information;
moreover,
A computer of a barrier equipment processing device installed in a barrier equipment provided at the boundary between the area and another area
detecting movement of the vehicle across the boundary and identifying the vehicle identification information of the vehicle;
When detecting movement of the vehicle across the boundary between the area and another area, transmitting passage barrier information including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle to the central charging processing device of the area from which the vehicle moved,
When the passing barrier information is received by the computer of the central charging processing device in the area from which the vehicle is moved, the computer executes a step of transmitting handover information including the vehicle information of the vehicle and information related to passing through the barrier facility to the central charging processing device in the area to which the vehicle is moved;
causing a computer of the central charging processing device in the destination area to execute a step of adding the vehicle information of the vehicle to the all-vehicle information table based on the received handover information;
The handover information further includes information specifying a toll system when the vehicle passes through the entrance toll gate.
program.